More than 1,000 students of various undergrad courses at St Xavier's College were in for a rude shock on Tuesday when they received an email from the college principal criticizing the Gujarat model of the development, the ills of 'communal forces' and 'capitalism', albeit indirectly endorsing the Congress.

Over 814 million people will be eligible to vote in the 2014 elections, making it the biggest Lok Sabha polls -- and the biggest democratic parliamentary elections anywhere in the world.
Bollywood and cricket are the biggest influencers for youth and also the highest revenue generating industries in India. Hence, it is important that these so called 'icons' participate in the electoral process.

The principal of St Xavier's college, Frazer Mascarenhas pulled a rabbit out of his hat when he wrote an email to students of the college, outlining a certain criterion to consider before exercising the right to vote. The email criticises the Gujarat growth model for being conducive for merely big businesses. It cites the Human Development Index and the poor quality of health and education in Gujarat to indicate that where quality of life is concerned, the state has not done well. The email then praises the Rojgar Yojana and the Food Security Act as they enhance the wellbeing of citizens. It also commends the Right to Information act.

Over 75 academics of Indian origin in Britain recently came out with an open letter in the British newspaper The Independent expressing how the idea of the BJP’s Narendra Modi coming to power in India fills them “with dread”. The academics went on to express concern over India’s democratic traditions and its secularism under a future Modi government.

Politics is drama, dance and a war of words that is meant to explain a party or candidate's stand on issues. But look closer and we can see politicians making inane and offensive statements that create a stir. And besides being inappropriate, these statements take the cake for being really dumb.